Fantastical infrared photography

Default avatar.
January 17, 2013
Fantastical infrared photography.

ThumbnailWhile these stunning images may look like still shots from a J.R.R. Tolkien adaptation, they’re actually the handiwork of “amateur” French photographer David Keochkerian. David’s style of infrared photography is achieved by using a special camera or lens filter to block out all light but the infrared waves. The result is an other-worldly effect where the color is strange and piercing and the quality is celestial and dreamlike.

By taking advantage of nature’s inherent beauty — from trees in bloom to a pond’s reflective properties — vivid tones and striking contrasts come together to produce the sort of magical surrealism that movies are made of. But as any behind-the-scenes creative talent knows, these shots required way more than the wave of a wand to materialize.

Starting off with a D70 IR and an external IR filter and ultimately moving to a 590 nm internal filter for the D700, the photographer was able to capture the images displayed below and perfect them in post-production.

A few tips for those inclined to give IR photography a spin:

  • lush green foliage and the sunny skies of spring and summer are ideal conditions for infrared photography;
  • a tripod and remote are recommended due to extended exposure times;
  • shoot RAW images and adjust the white balance to your preference in post-production.

Take a peek at David Keochkerian’s compositions for inspiration, and check out his complete portfolio for more treatments and styles.

Infrared photo

Infrared photo

Infrared photo

Infrared photo

Infrared photo

Infrared photo

Infrared photo

Infrared photo

Infrared photo

Infrared photo

Have you ever tried infrared photography? What other elements of nature would work well for IR? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Stacey Kole

Stacey Kole is a freelance writer and former magazine editor. When she’s not crafting copy or chasing after her two little boys, Stacey can be found drinking coffee, tea, or anything else with caffeine. You can connect with her on LinkedIn or follow her on Twitter.

Read Next

LimeWire Developer APIs Herald a New Era of AI Integration

Generative AI is a fascinating technology. Far from the design killer some people feared, it is an empowering and…

20 Best New Websites, March 2024

Welcome to our pick of sites for March. This month’s collection tends towards the simple and clean, which goes to show…

Exciting New Tools for Designers, March 2024

The fast-paced world of design never stops turning, and staying ahead of the curve is essential for creatives. As…

Web Tech Trends to Watch in 2024 and Beyond

It hardly seems possible given the radical transformations we’ve seen over the last few decades, but the web design…

6 Best AI Productivity Apps in 2024

There’s no escaping it: if you want to be successful, you need to be productive. The more you work, the more you…

3 Essential Design Trends, February 2024

From atypical typefaces to neutral colors to unusual user patterns, there are plenty of new website design trends to…

Surviving the Leap from College to Real-World Design

So, you’ve finished college and are ready to showcase your design skills to the world. This is a pivotal moment that…

20 Mind-Bending Illusions That Will Make You Question Reality

Mind-bending videos. Divisive Images. Eye-straining visuals. This list of optical illusions has it all. Join us as we…

15 Best New Fonts, February 2024

Welcome to February’s roundup of the best new fonts for designers. This month’s compilation includes some innovative…

The 10 Best WordPress Quiz Plugins in 2024

Whether it’s boosting your organic search visibility or collecting data for targeted email marketing campaigns, a great…

20 Best New Websites, February 2024

It’s almost Valentine’s Day, so this latest collection is a billet-doux celebrating the best of the web this month.

Everything You Need to Know About Image Formats In 2024

Always trying to walk the tightrope between image quality and file size? Looking to branch out from JPGs and PNGs this…